What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jobs
Example
I have a job as a teacher. [job: noun]
Example
She is job hunting and applying to various companies. [job: gerund or present participle]
occupation
Example
My occupation is a doctor. [occupation: noun]
Example
He works in the legal occupation as a lawyer. [occupation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Job is more commonly used than occupation in everyday language. Job is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while occupation is more formal and often used in professional or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jobs and occupation?
Occupation is more formal than job and is often used in professional or academic settings. However, both terms can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context.